Monday, April 25, 2011

Maybe you thought you were waiting in line for the public bathroom. But maybe you were wrong.
Maybe what you were doing was something completely different. And maybe you don't even know what that thing is yet. But in the meantime you probably learned some things. You might have met someone who taught you how to truly love and serve others and in the process you learned how to love and serve yourself. You probably had some really interesting conversations that reminded you of what you believe in. You were probably standing in a place with scenery so beautiful you knew God had to be there, watching you, painting the moment for you. There were probably moments when you forgot who you were but in a moment you remembered that you're awesome and that you actually like yourself. You did something that help you realize that you are strong and that you can do hard, scary things. And then, when you finally got to the stall, you looked back and thought, 'waiting in line wasn't so bad' and then you remember all of the things that you've learned and the person that you've become and you realize that maybe you don't need to go to the bathroom anymore, maybe you just thought that you did. So you go somewhere else. And you don't know where it is yet or what you're going to do there or who you might meet. But you do know that everything is better when you don't have to go to the bathroom! So you just get going and you be happy about your new adventure and know that this one is only going to make you stronger because that's what daddy told you.

(And yes, I'm now hating myself for ever having compared waiting for a missionary to waiting in line for the bathroom)

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

I feel like I haven't expressed enough how excited I am to go to Uganda this summer. I can't believe that I've been given this awesome opportunity. Even just preparing to go has been life changing!
I put these videos up so you could get an idea of why I'm so excited. The first one is about what HELP International is all about in general and the second one is from the team who went to Lugazi, Uganda last year and shows more in depth what my summer will be like.

Doesn't this make you excited??! Man, I cannot wait. So good.

If you want to help out you can donate by going here or by mailing your donation to HELP International (find their address here). Make sure to put "Haley Eldredge-Uganda" in the comment section. Thank you so much!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

The baptism really was wonderful!! A brother and sister were baptized. Their mother and all of their siblings are members. Only their dad is Catholic. He stood up to speak for a while and at the end he said he couldn't wait until his family would convert him. HAHA! It was so awesome.
I know the gospel must be true when I am standing with so many great people who support each other, watching my brother and sister come into the fold, and my heart wants to burst out of my chest because the Spirit is so strong. I can only imagine how it would be to be watching your own children make that big step and to see all the love and peace that they find in the church. How could you not want to be a part of that?
The Gospel is true and the Atonement is real.
I learned that today.

Here's a conversation I had after a baptism tonight with a friend who is from Utah:

Me: That was so nice! It's so great to get to be apart of people our age coming to know the gospel is true for themselves. You really get to see lives change. You don't get to see that very often in Utah.

Friend: Yeah. I feel like when you go to school at BYU people only go to church for the social aspect. I mean, I love coming to church because it makes dating easier but that's different.

My Brain: I'm sorry... did you really just say that?

Me: Yeah, speaking of BYU (My Brain: which we weren't), I'll be heading back there in the fall. I go to school there. I love it. And I love church.

Friends Eyeballs: Falling out of sockets

Friend: Oh that is so awesome! I thought about going there but it just didn't feel right. I was so glad I got into MIT because it would've been so bad if I had to go to BYU.

Me: Yeah, that would've been horrible. Well, gotta go!

As My Brain continues to process and understand this conversation, I'm reminded of a conversation I had with Friends boyfriend a couple of weeks ago.

Friends BF: So, when do you head back to Zion?

Me: I'm sorry?

Friends BF: You know, Utah.

Me: I'm actually going to Uganda for the summer before I head back, but I suppose Uganda could be Zion.

Friends BF (in the most sarcastic voice you can imagine): Oh, everyone knows the pure in heart are only from Utah.

My Brain: Whaaaaat??

Me:speechless

Why would anyone say these things? Even if I weren't from Utah or didn't go to BYU, I wouldn't get it.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

It's EXTREMELY hard to find a picture of my dad because he's always the one taking them.

I have The World's Number One Best Dad Ever. If you think that your dad is The World's Number One Best Dad Ever, you are wrong. Unless you are my brother or sister in which case, you also have The World's Number One Best Dad Ever. Seriously, he is so awesome. I've never met a person who is more intelligent, sincere, funny, helpful and caring. He's the best dad because I can call him anytime on any day with any problem and he will fix it. Even when I live on the other side of the country, he is still able to help me solve all of my problems.
Three phrases that my dad has never ceased to repeat to me are: "Sometimes you have to do hard things", "Remember who you are" and in his singing voice "there is beauty all around when there's love at home". I love these phrases because they perfectly emulate who my dad is. He is such a hard worker and enables others to work just as hard. He never forgets who he is. I've never once seen my dad contradict, with his actions, the things that he says. He is always completely true to himself and the standards he has for himself. And my dad is one of the most loving people I've ever met. He is mindful of others needs, he shows so much respect for everyone and he always puts other before himself. He is an insanely good example to me in all that he does.
So, like I said, my dad wins the contest. He is so wonderful and I'm so lucky to have him for my dad. If you don't know him, you should because he's awesome!
Happy Birthday, Dad. I love you!